THE House Quad Committee (Quad Comm) during its year-end meeting on Thursday presented its accomplishments over its past 12 hearings.
Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales listed the House Bills (HBs) that were crafted as a result of the hearings: (1) HB 10986, “Classifying EJK (Extra Judicial Killing) as a Heinous Crime”; (2) HB 10987, “Anti-Offshore Gaming Operations Act”; (3) HB 10998, “Espionage Law of 2024”; (4) HB 11043, “Civil Forfeiture Act”; and (5) HB 11117, “Fraudulent Birth Certificate Cancellation Law.”
He said the Quad Comm with submit a progress report to the plenary before next week’s Christmas break.
“This report will summarize our findings, provide actionable recommendations, and outline the next steps to tackle these critical issues. It will also include accountability measures for officials involved in related anomalies,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales recalled calling for the creation of the Quad Comm when he delivered a privilege speech on Aug. 5, 2024 following the apparent links in the investigations into the P3.6 billion worth of shabu seized in Mexico, Pampanga, P1.3 billion worth of shabu discovered in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, and the illegal activities linked to POGOs.
He vowed that the Quad Comm we will continue its work in January with even greater focus and determination, “Today, we only end the inquiry for the year; but we are already preparing for next year.”
Quad Comm vice chair and Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop seconded Gonzales’ commitment, “Ipagpapatuloy po natin ang ating inquiry at sisiguraduhin naming aayusin ang ating mga batas upang masiguro hindi na maulit ang mga kaganapang ating natuklasan. Sa darating na taon at darating na Quad Comm hearings, tatalakayin po natin ng mas malalim ang usapin ukol sa droga dahil sang-ayon naman po tayo salot po ito sa lipunan. We will leave no stone unturned.”
He presented a report entitled “A Tale of Two Shipments,” featuring the arrival in the country in 2017 of metal cylinders P6.4-billion worth of illegal drugs and the shipment in the country in 2018 of magnetic lifters containing P3.4 billion worth of illegal drugs. It showed that the two shipments both arrived at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and allegedly involved some personalities.
“For the past 12 hearings, we have heard various testimonies of victims, their families, the police, the involved personalities who admitted their roles and participation, the cause-oriented groups, and those whose lives have changed forever due to an irreversible misstep they took that cost them their freedom,” said Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, senior chair of the Quad Comm.
The Quad Comm during its meeting cited in contempt former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Wilkins Villanueva, which will be implemented when session resumes on January 13, 2025. Abang Lingkod Partylist Rep. Joseph “Caraps” Paduano reminded former Villanueva of his right to file a motion to lift the contempt order on him.
Also cited in contempt was Police Col. Hector Grijaldo who had did not attend the hearing despite the Quad Comm’s repeated invitation.
The Quad Comm also lifted the contempt orders issued on certain resource persons: (1) Cassandra Ong who filed a motion to lift the contempt and detention orders on her as she is sick and cannot be detained at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW). Doctors of the CIW and the House confirmed that she is not fit to attend and withstand the congressional hearings; (2) Alice Guo, who is now detained at the Pasig City Jail; (3) Tony Yang, who is detained under the custody of the Philippine Anti Organized Crime Commission. He is sick and currently confined at the St. Luke’s Medical Hospital in Taguig; and (4) Police Major Leo Laraga who is under the custody of the Quezon City Jail.
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